Tub and washing machine having the same

Abstract

A tub and a washing machine having the same which omit an air chamber cap, thereby reducing production costs and decreasing the number of water leakage points. The tub of the washing machine includes a diaphragm extended downward from the inner surface of the tub to form an air chamber at one side of the lower portion of the tub, and a drain hole formed beneath the air chamber to discharge wash water.

1 . A washing machine comprising:
 a main body;   a tub disposed within the main body in the vertical direction, and including a water chamber to store wash water and an air chamber disposed at one side of the lower portion of the water chamber to detect a level of the wash water stored in the water chamber;   a spin basket disposed within the water chamber to accommodate laundry;   a diaphragm disposed within the tub to divide the water chamber and the air chamber;   an opening formed on the diaphragm to enable the wash water in the water chamber to be introduced into the air chamber; and   a drain hole formed beneath the air chamber to enable the wash water in the water chamber to be discharged to the outside of the tub via the opening and the air chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein a drain pipe on which a drain control device is installed, is connected to the drain hole. 
     
     
         3 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein a protruding boss part to which the drain pipe is connected to, is formed on the tub. 
     
     
         4 . A washing machine comprising:
 a main body;   a tub disposed within the main body in the vertical direction to store wash water;   an air chamber disposed at one side of the side wall of the tub to detect a water level;   a drain hole formed integrally with the air chamber and located beneath the air chamber; and   a drain pipe connected to the drain hole to discharge the wash water stored in the tub to the outside.   
     
     
         5 . The washing machine according to  claim 4 , wherein the air chamber is formed between the inner surface of the tub and a diaphragm extended downward from the inner surface of the tub. 
     
     
         6 . The washing machine according to  claim 5 , wherein an opening is formed on the diaphragm to enable the wash water to be introduced into the air chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The washing machine according to  claim 4 , wherein a drain pump to forcibly discharge the wash water in the tub to the outside, is connected to the drain pipe. 
     
     
         8 . The washing machine according to  claim 4 , wherein a drain valve to intermit discharge of the wash water in the tub, is installed on the drain pipe. 
     
     
         9 . A tub comprising:
 a water chamber to store wash water;   an air chamber disposed at one side of the lower portion of the water chamber to detect a level of the wash water stored in the water chamber;   a diaphragm provided to divide the water chamber and the air chamber;   an opening formed on the diaphragm to enable the wash water in the water chamber to be introduced into the air chamber; and   a drain hole formed beneath the air chamber to enable the wash water in the water chamber to be discharged to the outside of the tub via the opening and the air chamber.   
     
     
         10 . The tub according to  claim 9 , wherein a protruding boss part to which a drain pipe, is connected is formed on the tub. 
     
     
         11 . A tub disposed within a main body of a washing machine in the vertical direction to store wash water, the tub comprising:
 an air chamber disposed at one side of the side wall of the tub to detect a water level; and   a drain hole formed integrally with the air chamber and located beneath the air chamber.   
     
     
         12 . The tub according to  claim 11 , wherein the air chamber is formed between the inner surface of the tub and a diaphragm extended downward from the inner surface of the tub. 
     
     
         13 . The tub according to  claim 11 , wherein an opening is formed on the diaphragm to enable the wash water to be introduced into the air chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the tub does not have an air chamber cap connected to the air chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The washing machine according to  claim 4 , wherein the tub does not have an air chamber cap connected to the air chamber. 
     
     
         16 . The tub according to  claim 9 , wherein the tub does not have an air chamber cap connected to the air chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The tub according to  claim 11 , wherein the tub does not have an air chamber cap connected to the air chamber.